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JennGM
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| Posted: Jan 19 2010 at 12:09pm | IP Logged
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This is more of a practical question about pastels.
My son really wants to use this art medium, but he doesn't like the chalky dry feel on his hand. (We're saving the oil pastels for later, which I know feels a bit better.)
Any tips? gloves? cover hands with something?
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Jennifer G. Miller
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Jan 19 2010 at 12:16pm | IP Logged
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what about something like masking tape wrapped around the pastel? it wouldn't really stick but if it was wrapped tight it could be like the paper around a crayon.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
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LucyP
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| Posted: Jan 19 2010 at 12:46pm | IP Logged
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Cound you utilise elastic bands or the neck of a balloon? Having read this it suddenly clicked for me why when we were adding pastels to watercolors the other day I was using the tips of my fingers to hold them - I hate the sensation too.  And I don't believe I just spelled watercoloUrs without the U. I am spending too much time with americans! 
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MaryM
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What kind of pastel sticks are you using? Round, square, wrapped, unwrapped? I'm assuming they must not be wrapped. You can buy brands that are wrapped so fingers wouldn't have to rub/touch the actual stick. Or like Jodie suggested create your own wrap. Masking tape is an idea - could even be paper. If your pastels are round and not the square ones then they would fit in those chalk holder devices that teachers use. Problem is you still need to swap out for different colors which would involve touching (unless you wanted to get a bunch of them - probably too spendy  ).
I probably wouldn't try gloves as even thin ones would be somewhat bulky. You could do latex ones but I assume would tend to feel the same powdery pastel on latex that he doesn't like. Finger cots would probably be a better alternative to gloves. You could make some flannel ones.
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Mackfam
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| Posted: Jan 19 2010 at 1:54pm | IP Logged
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My kids don't generally care for the chalky feel...and I have one very tactile-sensitive guy who really doesn't like the feel. Two things that worked for us:
** Lotion up the hands well before use. For some reason if their hands are nice and lotioned, the chalky feel is less bothersome.
** I use a veterinary wrap for wrapping a pastel to hold. I cut it to size and wrap it a couple of times leaving an end exposed. Veterinary wrap sticks to itself so it doesn't leave any residue behind. It makes a world of difference for my son who has tactile issues with this medium. We find the veterinary wrap at our local tractor supply store (southern folks, y'know) Here's a link just so you can see what I'm talking about. You could probably find this in the first aid section of a pharmacy too. It's easily reusable. I just rinse it and dry it after use.
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Jen Mackintosh
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JennGM
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| Posted: Jan 19 2010 at 2:50pm | IP Logged
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So helpful! Thank you! I knew we weren't the only ones that had this texture issue. (I feel the same way.)
Yes, Mary, these are unwrapped, just some inexpensive pastels, half, squares. Michael's had an assortment for only $5 which I thought was worth trying.
This is the second time in 2 weeks I've heard "finger cots" and never heard the term before. I'll have to find out what they are!
Jen, that Vet Wrap is cool. Would this place be Southern States, by any chance? We have those here, love them!
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Jennifer G. Miller
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Mackfam
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| Posted: Jan 19 2010 at 4:43pm | IP Logged
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JennGM wrote:
| Would this place be Southern States, by any chance? We have those here, love them! |
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Nope. In fact I've never heard of Southern States! Here's where we buy ours...Tractor Supply Company - Vetwrap (by 3M). My in laws have horses and my daughter rides quite a bit and that's where I first encountered it...with equine care. It's AMAZING stuff!!!
TOTALLY OFF TOPIC: I use it for all sorts of wrapping needs, and it's really great in my home first aid bin. I hate having to peel that awful first aid tape off tender skin. And, since vet wrap clings to itself, it holds whatever needs holding very well, and unwraps when needed. (It's not super easy to unwrap because the end becomes sort of lost and camouflaged in the folds...so it's good for little people in that they can't easily find the end to unwrap it...but I can find it!) Anyway, it's very inexpensive and an all round helpful household tool I'd say! 
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Jen Mackintosh
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Wildflowers and Marbles
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Mackfam
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| Posted: Jan 19 2010 at 4:45pm | IP Logged
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Oh...you will find finger cots in the pharmacy as well!
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Jen Mackintosh
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Wildflowers and Marbles
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JodieLyn
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they also use it like after giving blood to wrap the little pad to your arm. Sometimes you get to pick the color
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
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4Real Forums : The Arts in the Everyday
Topic: Pastels
